Immerse yourself in the best of the French and Italian Rivieras and Monaco on this exclusive, unforgettable itinerary, which takes you from Nice along the sparkling Mediterranean coastline to iconic Portofino and Monaco. Experience the allure of the legendary Cote d’Azur during a 3-night stay at the deluxe Maison Albar-Le Victoria hotel. Then embark the Sea Cloud Spirit, a unique, luxurious, 3-masted tall ship. Under its billowing white sails, cruise to San Remo and Portofino, jewels of the Italian Riviera, and to glittering Monaco. Throughout, enjoy memorable excursions, from strolling the historic old town of Nice, France’s chic coastal city, to soaking up the classic glamor of Antibes, to savoring a private boat cruise to the idyllic villages of San Fruttuoso and Camogli. Accompanying you on your journey will be award-winning writer Jess Walter, author of the bestselling “Beautiful Ruins,” set in an Italian coastal town much like Portofino.
Exclusive Highlights
4-night cruise aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit, an exclusively chartered, luxurious sailing yacht. E xclusive guest speaker Jess Walter, award-winning author.
Private boat cruise to the idyllic villages of San Fruttuoso and Camogli. Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the storied Riviera resort city of Nice and Vieux Nice, its historical old town; and Grasse, considered the birthplace of the modern perfumery.
Dear Mary Washington Alumni, Parents and Friends:
Join us on this exclusive, unforgettable itinerary, exploring the glittering coastlines of the French and Italian Rivieras and Monaco. Soak up the allure of the legendary Cote d’Azur, then embark the deluxe Sea Cloud Spirit and cruise to San Remo and Portofino, jewels of the Italian Riviera, and to sparkling Monaco
During this 8-night program, immerse yourself in incomparable art. Tour Nice's Marc Chagall National Museum, filled with artwork and surrounded by Mediterranean gardens. And if you choose to visit St. Paul de Vence, you’ll find scores of galleries and workshops tucked along the narrow, cobbled streets of this charming medieval village where Picasso, Dufy, Matisse and Chagall all spent time and created works.
Delight in a specially arranged private boat cruise to the idyllic villages of San Fruttuoso and Camogli. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites. And savor lectures by engaging guest speaker and bestselling author Jess Walter.
Reserve now while space and Special Savings are still available!
Warm regards,
Mark Thaden Executive Director of Alumni Engagement
Day 1 | May 12
Depart your home city for an overnight flight to Nice, France.
Day 2 | May 13 R
Nice, France
Welcome to Nice, an UNESCO-inscribed city on the Cote d’Azur. Begin with a drive to Mont Boron to enjoy an unbeatable scenic view of the Old Port of Nice, the village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Cap-Ferrat peninsula and, of course, the famously blue water the Cote d’Azur is named for. Check in to the deluxe Maison Albar-Le Victoria and join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at the hotel this evening.
Day 3 | May 14 B
Nice | Antibes
Head to the charming seaside town of Antibes, where the chic glamor of the French Riviera is wrapped in a welcoming vibe. Antibes was founded as a Greek colony in the fourth century B.C. More recently, it has been home to Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Aristotle
Onassis and Pablo Picasso. On a guided walking tour, stroll winding cobblestone streets lined with pastel-tinted stone buildings and colorful flower baskets. See Grimaldi Castle, built in the 12th century and now home to the Picasso Museum. Visit Le Marché Provençal, brimming with fresh produce, herbs and spices, and locally made products. After lunch, visit Chateau de Cremat. Tour the gardens, vineyards, wine cellars and caves, then indulge in a tasting.
Day 4 | May 15
Hilltowns of the Rivieras
Today, choose an included excursion: explore the
B-L
charming medieval village of St. Paul de Vence, home to artists and art aficionados for centuries. Or drive to Grasse, a hillside town famous for its long-standing UNESCO-inscribed perfume industry.
Day 5 | May 16 B-D
Nice | Embark
Visit the captivating Marc Chagall National Museum, which contains the largest public collection of the artist’s work, including paintings, stained glass and a large mosaic. Enjoy free time in Nice’s Old Town exploring the shops and cafes, and make
Prince’s Palace, Monaco
your own plans for lunch. This afternoon, embark the deluxe Sea Cloud Spirit, a unique, luxurious tall ship.
Day 6 | May 17 B-L-R-D
San Remo, Italy
Today, choose an included excursion: take a guided walking tour of the charming Old Town of San Remo, known as the City of Flowers, and visit the lavish 19-century Villa Nobel. Or drive along the Riviera di Ponente Drive, taking in vistas of the Mediterranean Sea edged by pastel-colored villas, olive groves, lemon orchards and vineyards. Stop to explore the seaside town of Ventimiglia,
then head inland to visit Dolceaqua, a charming medieval village set among forested hills.
Day 7 | May 18 B-L-D
Portofino
Depart Portofino by private boat for a visit to San Fruttuoso. This picturesque village is not connected to any main roads and therefore is only accessible by boat or on foot. San Fruttuoso, an oft-overlooked gem, sits on a hillside above a cove where the blue Mediterranean waters lap a lovely little beach. Visit the stone Benedictine Abbey, built by Greek monks in the 10th century, with its Torre
Doria added on in 1562. This stone watchtower was built to protect residents from menacing Barbary pirates, who threatened the coast. Sail on to the fishing village of Camogli, renowned for its pastel-colored palazzi and houses stacked up along the coastline. In the mid-1800s, the town — known as the City of a Thousand White Sailing Ships — was esteemed for its powerful merchant navy, including a fleet of tall ships. This afternoon, spend free time exploring Portofino. This picturesque village was originally named Portus Delphini (Dolphin Harbor), which evolved into Portofino. Nowadays, the beautiful harbor is filled with
super-yachts, and the tiny, cobbled streets boast high-end boutiques. Despite being the filming location for many movies, the village retains its natural charm.
Day
8 | May 19 B-L-R-D
Monaco
In this tiny principality — the second-smallest country in the world — the Grimaldi family has led the country since the 13th
century. On a guided walking tour, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, built in the Roman-Byzantine style in the late 19th century. Many of the Grimaldis are buried here, including Grace Kelly and Rainier III. Tour the Prince’s Palace, erected as an Italian fortress in A.D. 1191. Marvel at the sumptuous décor of the State Apartments, home to Monaco’s royals. Join your
Exclusive Guest Speaker
JESS WALTER
Bestselling author Jess Walter is a prodigiously gifted writer renowned for his narrative versatility. Whether he is writing #1 New York Times bestseller “Beautiful Ruins,” or a political satire taking place after a terrorist attack (National Book Award finalist “The Zero”), or a Steinbeckian novel about a pivotal moment during the American labor movement (NEA Big Read “The Cold Millions”), his storytelling blends humor, pathos and incisive social commentary.
“Beautiful Ruins,” a captivating novel set on the Italian coast, was long-listed for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and was on several best-of-the-year lists including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Esquire and NPR’s Fresh Air.
Walter has won the Edgar Allen Poe Award and numerous other awards. His books “The Financial Lives of the Poets” and “The Cold Millions” were national bestsellers.
fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner on board the ship this evening, and raise a glass to your lovely sojourn!
Day 9 | May 20 B Nice | Disembark | Return to Home City
Arrive in Nice, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight back to your home city.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions.
Sea Cloud Spirit
Welcome to a unique sailing experience like no other. The Sea Cloud Spirit follows a course all its own, redefining what it means to sail in ultimate luxury. Embark on an exclusive voyage aboard this tall ship — a majestic vessel that combines the tradition of classic sailing with personalized, five-star service at a relaxed pace so you can connect with the sea, the sun and world-class destinations. Sea Cloud Spirit offers the ultimate personal touch; even the sails are hoisted by hand.
Maison Albar - Le Victoria
Maison Albar Hotels has just debuted its brand-new Nice address, Le Victoria, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This residence embodies the family spirit of its hosts, hoteliers for a century, to share the art of living. Ideally located between the Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna, the hotel offers you a luxe starting point to set sail for the Côte d’Azur and beyond. Here refinement, well-being and prestige combine to create a luxurious, memorable hotel experience.
3-night stay in the deluxe hotel
Maison Albar-Le Victoria in Nice, France. 4-night cruise aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit, an exclusively chartered, 3-masted sailing yacht.
Welcome and Farewell Receptions.
Included meals | 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners. Complimentary nonpremium liquor, house wine, beer, nonalcoholic beverages and minibar service throughout the cruise; complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner and nonalcoholic beverages at all meals during the land program.
Experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Director accompanies you throughout the program. (1 for every 40 guests.)
Expert lecturers and local guides enrich your experience with their knowledge and insight.
Exclusive guest speaker Jess Walter, award-winning author.
Specially arranged private boat cruise to the idyllic villages of San Fruttuoso and Camogli.
Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
Complimentary water is available in your room and on excursions.
Our extensive pre-departure materials better prepare you for your travel experience.
GOHAGAN & COMPANY AIR | Your Air, Your Way
Advantages of booking your air with Gohagan include:
Our experts know the best flight itineraries that work with your travel program’s start and end times, and they will work to find the best rates comparable to those available to the public.
Free group airport transfers and luggage handling for arrivals and departures on scheduled program dates.
24-hour emergency support throughout the program to handle any schedule changes and unexpected delays.
Flexibility to change or cancel reser vations up to 60 days prior to departure with minimal penalties on applicable tickets.
TERMS *The Special Savings Rate is valid if booked by 10/8/25 and paid in full at booking.
These Special Savings consist of $500 Early Booking and $500 Pay-in-Full Savings.
Single supplements apply in select categories at 160% of the per person cabin fare, plus taxes, with limited availability. Single rates for all other categories are at 200%. Special Savings still apply. (Cabin fare is the standard rate less taxes.)
Deposit amount is $1,500 per person. Final Payment is due at least 120 days prior to departure.
Full ship information and deck plans are available on our website at gohagantravel.com.
Gohagan & Company reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees, promotions and surcharges at any time. Terms & Conditions are available at gohagantravel.com/terms/
